Condiment dispenser



Jan. 28, 1958 J. w. KUHN l CONDIMENI DISPENSER Fledct. 24, 1956 JohTLW/Vlj'uhh.

United States Patent O CONDIMENT DISPENSER John W. Kuhn, Deerfield Beach, Fla. Application October 24, 1956, Serial No. 618,014 9 Claims. (Cl. Z22- 4575) This invention relates to a dispensing receptacle and more particularly to an improved condiment dispenser for granulated substances such as sugar, salt, pepper and the like and is directed primarily to an apparatus for retaining such products in a normally dry and free-flowing condition.

The primary object -of this invention resides in the provision of a sealing means so designed as to reduce and eliminate the normal clogging of a dispenser due to the moisture absorbing qualities of the condiment products by permitting the condiment to be exposed to the surrounding atmosphere only during the actual discharge of the same from the dispenser.

Another important object of the present invention is j the provision of a dispenser of this characteristic having a delivery conduit extending downwardly into the interior of the receptacle and employing a novel and improved gravity-actuated valve assembly which is normally retained in a closed position to prevent moisture that may be trapped within the delivery condu-it from entering the interior of the receptacle and which will be actuated to an open position when the dispenser is inverted allowing the contents to flow therefrom.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gravity-actuating, self-closing condiment dispenser having a flow-restricting valve cooperating with the sealing means and operating in response to the opening movement thereof for controlling the quantity of condiment delivered to the delivery conduit.

A still further object `of the present invention is to provide a condiment dispenser with a delivery conduit having sealing surfaces located in the'upper and lower portions thereof and sealing means operably disposed in said upper and lower portions simultaneously cooperating with said sealing surfaces for normally closing the same to prevent moisture from entering either the conduit =or the interior of the dispenser.

Another object of the invention is to provide Ia device which can be used in conjunction with the usual form of condiment receptacle, and which can be readily applied thereto and removed therefrom for cleaning and the like.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser of this character which is extremely simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and eifective in its purpose, neat and attractive in its appearance, readily and easily operable for dispensing purposes, thoroughly.

sanitary, possessing but few parts, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and the entire scope of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparentas the ldescription herein progresses.

2,821,331 Patented Jan. 28, 1958 Reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the condiment dispenser constructed in accordance with the present invention, `and with parts of the dispenser removed therefrom;

Figure 2 is a similar view lof Figure 1, and showing the dispenser inverted to actuate the valve assembly to an open position;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the condiment dispenser with parts removed therefrom showing another form of the novel valve assembly;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the delivery conduit formed as an integral part of the cap and adapted to be used with the dispenser body shown in Figure l;

Figure 5 is a view in vertical longitudinal section of the delivery conduit used in conjunction with the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating a modified form of the valve assembly constructed in accordance with the present'invention; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of the valve assembly shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purposes .of illustration, there is described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral 10 represents .a closure or dispenser cap of a non-corrosive material having a preferably conical upperend portion 12 that is provided with a centrally located aperture 14 communicating with the interior of the cap 10. The cap interior is shaped to define a hollowed and substantially conical discharge chamber 11 which is formed above the threaded neck engaging section 16 of the cap.

A hollow body or container 18 which constitutes a receptacle for the contents 20 is shown in this instance made of glass, although it may be made from any other suitable material such as plastic or the like, and is preferably of the shape disclosed in Figure l of the drawings. The body 18 has an upper neck porti-on 22 with an opening 24 extending therethrough. The neck portion 22 is externally threaded as at 26 to `detachably receive the cap neck engaging section 16.

Arranged within the lower part of the discharge chamber 11 is a generally cylindrical conduit 28 having a substantially umr'orm bore 29 throughout the major length thereof. The delivery conduit 28 extends downwardly through the neck opening 24 and terminates within the body 18 to provide communication between the interior of the Ibody and the discharge chamber 11. Extending outwardly from the upper end of conduit 28 is an annular supporting ilange 30 which is removably mounted between the annular shoulder 13 formed in cap 10 and the upper surface 23 of the neck portion 22, as shown. The upper portion 32 of the delivery conduit has an outlet or upper sealable orice 34 opening into the discharge chamber 11. The outlet 34 is flared outwardly to form a conical sealing surface or valve seat 38. The lower portion 31 of the delivery conduit diminishes slightly in cross-section to form an inlet or lower sealable orifice 36 having an annular sealing surface or valve seat 37. The conduit 28 terminates below the sealable orice 36 to form an outwardly ared conical liange 42 which communicates with the interior of the body 18.

In Figure 4, the delivery conduit 27 is formed as an integral part of the cap 15 and is adapted to be used with the dispenser body 18 shown in Figure 1. This unitary structure is preferably molded from a plastic material container.

aangaat A sealing, means comprising a valve assembly 40 is slidably disposed. Within the delivery conduit 28` normally sealing both the inlet 36 and the outlet 34; said valve assembly being operable to open the same, allowing the contents: to, iiow into theA discharge chamber 11". rFhe valveV assembly 40 includesV a longitudinally` extending` stem or shaft 42 which is positioned axiallyy withinthe conduit: 2,8; The stem 42 carriesanupper valve member" 44. and a lower doublefacting valve member 46. The upper valve member 44iis located within the dischargechamber' 11, and is adapted to normally seat against the conical' sealing: surface 3:8,` while the lowerdouble-acting valve member 46y includes aprimary valve 48- andaY secondary; flow-restricting valve 50, The primary-valve 48"is lo catedAcompletely-within the delivery conduit 28- andlnormallyfseatsr-against the valve seat37g to seal the conduit' inlet-36, andA is ofa sizeto permit passage of the condiments around thesame into the conduit 28 when the dispenser isn a n inverted position. Thus it'will be noted that the upper and lower valve members 44 and." 48; simultaneously cooperate with the valve seats 38 and^37f` respectively for normally closingy both the outlet 3,4 and' inlet- 36 to prevent the entranceV of moisture into either the conduit 28l or the interior of the body 18. Moreover;I the ILOvel arrangementv of these valvesprevents moisture that maybe trapped within the conduit 28 from entering-n the interior of the receptacle. Accordingly, the.contents 20 are exposed to the surroundingatmosphereonly.during the actual discharge ofthe same fromthe. dispenserwhenY inverted.

An additibnalibw-restrictingvaIveSilmay be employed to regplatethe quantity of; materialidelivered toftlieniiilet. 3 6: The valve 50) has, atdi'ameter slightlygless thany the.- minimuml C rOsSfSectional. area: of, the deliver-yf conduit*v inlet 361and` isfsuspend'ed exteriorly therefrom in ahora mally non-restrictive. position. When thedispenser. is, in. verted, actuating the valve assemblyr 40 to an openv posi tion, thevalve, also moves in.. responselo.y theopening;l movement thereof to restrict the..ow of condiments*l throughthe inlet 36.

The stem 42 may. be. extended. upwardly? througha ther,

discharge. chamber, 11y and terminated; adjacentgthezapera ture 14 to support av discharge assistant-.5L 'lhedisfy charge assistant; 5,2; isA of; asiae tofpass outwardly throughtv the aperturelfl in;cooperation=withtthe openingunoyernent; of the'valveassembly-40 for-dislodgiug any;l condiments: collected around thei aperture and; adheringl to' thefcap.

Rigidly attached to or formingan integrali-,partaofr the.-l lllgtlivalyzmemher; 44l andi the stemA 42',v are a: plurality f..- qil'cllmftlnfilyrspd: ns: or vanos-54,1d projecting@ upwardly frQm .the valvetmemben 44.- Thelsidefedges=56=1 of the, fins 54,are spacediromAtheeinneruwall of: the cham;w ber; 11.to= perrriitaxal movement ofithevalve assembly-40s. In the dispensing,operatiouitheiuppersedgesiSS of the fins-- 54 I abut against the@interionconicahportioni 60 ofxthet cap to limit ,the ;0pen,ing-movementi ofiY thevalveassembly i- 40 in one direction.f

A, modified `form of conduit and valvetassemblyi iszillusf tratedinFigureA of thedrawings;Y In,.this,construction;.

thel conduit 2,7,- isjformediintegrally with the Vcapfls andv the valyefassernbly. includes upper; andglowerrvalvezmembers; 45. andf47 respectivelyy whicl'n are; supporterr by:` a longitudinally-.extending .valvestem43.. Iliempperfvalve` member, 45 h asa ,reducedilower' portion. 49 which# em. blsialldorms Shell-` with @the `concavo-convexed:valveA Seat 39I1.fillet-lippen` portiomof; the., delivery conduit 21;

Theglower; portion .49 off.l the valvet45 also Lserveseasiaarde- QCtOr forrtheffailingalt, 4so ithaty salt. accumulation; will?y have little opportunity to attach to ithexapl ,tbuskeeping= thetcap surface relatively: cleanv-and`f sanitary, to-iensure Y valve members which serves to retain the upper valve member 45x ina central position whenopen,- andthe'. stem 43 extends outwardly through the inlet opening and is bent to form a movement-limiting hook 59 at a right angle thereto which contacts the lower terminal portion 62 of the conduit 27 upon opening movement of the valve assembly. In addition, a How-restricting valve 50 may be carried by the stem 43 between: the lower valve member 47 and the movement-limitinghook 59 for controlling the quantity of intake'in response to` said'opening movement.

It is to be understood that4 the'valve assembly 40 may consist of merely upper and lower sealing valves as shown in Figure 3, ort includeadoubleacting lower-valve member as illustrated-in:Figurer7. Moreovera discharge assistant may be added to the assembly as disclosed in Figure 6. The previously discussed features may be incorporated into a single assembly, similar to Figure 7 of the attached drawings, in accordance with the purposes of'y the presentV4 invention:

` An ladvantage of" a condiment dispenser' constructed. in accordance with the presentinvention resides in the factthat-alt.of"the components may he individually moldedof pl'asticmaterialin linshedform' and readily assembled by first filling the hollowV body portion 18 with the d'e'sr'ed condinrent'insertirig the: deihfery conduit 28' through the neck opening 2`4`into tli'ei'riteri'or of'V thebody; sliding; the integrally' moldedfvalve-assembly 4'0 *intol the conduit 28,v ands'ecurin'g" the cap, 10"t`o the bod'y 18 inthe conventional manner. l

It Ishoul'dbe noted"tliat the valve assemblyv 40 may be integrallyy moldedv fromfplastic material. with` a wire or cord reinforcement 4lipassi`ng., longitudinally throughthe stem, 42.' 'Iiisreiifrcement ofthe stemi42l permitsthe same to` b'e relatively smalL. thereby allowingthe conduit bore 29`"tobe further reducedindiameten It. is also, tol` beunderstood` that',` although several preferredlembodimentso.theinventionihave been shown in the` drawings and ydescr-iinila-withconsiderable particularity inthe.. foregoing-specification;theinvention is not limited. to the specific details of constructionyshown and described,y butxincludes allffmoditications-` coming1 .withi11`` thee scope of the. appended: claims-fandtheirv equivalents.

l... A. condimenti dispenser.. comprising. ahollow bodyv provi-dedewithfa :noch: port-ion at ,onel end having'an: opening therethrough, a cap forrth'erbody' including. auneckr en gagingf seotion'e, said cap:v having;I alV dispensing; apertu'ne fomnedithereineae deliverys'conduitpositioned; within` said necktppennggthavinggamupper portion mountedfin: coopl erationfwithzsaidcapiandza lower: portion: extending'ldowii# wardlygt throughisaidx. oygaenin'gi:to.1 provide communicationbetweem thetznterior; of thee` bodyl and saidl vaperture; saidconduiuhaving; acsubstantiallyt uniform bore1 throughout the major length thereof, said bore diminishin'glslightl'yinI crossse'ctiomf-adjacent .'s'aid3 lower portion 'and Haring outwandlyarljacent saidiupperportionlto define-annular seal'-l ableioritices;..and sealing means operably-disposed` in said4 upper; and lowerlpoxstiursi.sin'mltaizieouslyl cooperating -withsaid oricesiforinormallyi sealing the'same to prevent the entranceroii moisture into-saldiconduit and'fth'e'interior'of sairlibndy 2-.-'.,A condimentdispenserr assenforthinrclairn 1fwl1'ereinsaidilsealing: n'xeansiI includesfaL plurality of: cooperating valvesunormallyilclosing the-'upper an'd lowerp'ortions-of' saidxconduit vagainst-the entrance `of"moisture-andi simulf taneously operable todopenhthe5 same allowing' passage limitingnneans-fo'r liinitingtlieopenihggmovem'ent.of said sealihgmeans' in one" drection.

SUTle combination of"cl'iii1 2I and'a How-restricting,

valve disposed adjacent the lower portion of said conduit cooperating with said sealing means, said How-restricting valve being operable in response to the opening movement of said sealing means for controlling the quantity of condiment delivered to said conduit.

6. A condiment dispenser comprising a hollow body provided with a neck portion at one end having an opening therethrough, a cap for the body having detachable connection therewith and including a centrally located dispensing aperture formed therein, a generally cylindrical delivery conduit removably mounted between said neck portion and said cap and extending downwardly therefrom through said neck opening to provide communication between the interior of the body and said aperture, said conduit having an outlet spaced below said aperture to dene a discharge chamber therebetween and an inlet located at the opposite end thereof, a valve assembly slidably disposed within said conduit for normally sealing said inlet and outlet against the entrance of moisture and operable to simultaneously open the same for allowing the contents to pass therethrough, a flow-restricting valve extending from the lower portion of said assembly through the conduit inlet for controlling the quantity of intake in response to the opening movement of said valve assembly, and a discharge assistant extending from the upper portion of said assembly terminating adjacent said aperture, said discharge assistant being of a size to pass outwardly through said aperture in cooperation with ysaid assembly opening movement for dislodging any contents adhering to the cap.

7. A condiment dispenser comprising a hollow body provided with a neck portion at one end having an opening therethrough, a cap for the body having detachable connection therewith `and including a centrally located dispensing `aperture formed therein, a generally cylindrical delivery conduit removably mounted between said neck portion and said cap and extending downwardly therefrom through said neck opening to provide communication between the :interior of the body and said aperture, said conduit having an outlet spaced below said aperture to dene a discharge chamber therebetween land an inlet located at the opposite end thereof, said conduit having a substantially uniform bore throughout the major length thereof, said bore diminishing slightly in cross-section adjacent the inlet and -aring outwardly adjacent the outlet to form valve seats, 'a valve assembly slid-ably disposed within said conduit for normally sealing said inlet and outlet including a longitudinally extending stem positioned axially therethrough, an upper valve member carried by said stem 'and located within said discharge chamber for normally seating against the outlet valve seat and a lower double-acting valve member having primary and secondary valves carried by said stem, said primary valve being 1ocated within the delivery conduit for normally seating against the inlet valve seat and of a size to permit passage of the contents around the same into said conduit when in open position, said secondary valve being suspended exteriorly of the conduit inlet permitting a tlow of contents therethrough when in normal position and operable to restrict the ow of the same upon opening movement of said primary valve.

8. A condiment dispenser as set forth in claim 7 wherein said stem extends upwardly through said discharge chamber terminating adjacent said aperture, a discharge assistant supported by said stem of a size to pass outwardly through the aperture in cooperation with the opening movement of said valve assembly for dislodging any contents adhering to the cap.

9. The structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein said valve assembly includes a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced ns projecting upwardly from said upper valve member, said tins being slida-bly confined Within said discharge chamber and adapted to abut against the interior of said cap to limit the opening movement of said valve assembly.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 952,683 Natt Mar. 22, 1910 1,525,828 Reeve Feb. 10, 1925 1,891,824 Madigan Dec. 20, 1932 

